Three Joliet West High School wrestlers made history this weekend as they competed in the first ever IHSA Girls Wrestling Sectional Tournament at Naperville Central on Friday and Saturday.
The state bound girl wrestlers from Joliet West are Chloe Wong (105), Eliana Paramo (115), and Stejah Allen (120).
Illinois is the 28th state to sanction girls wrestling as high school sport. According to Team USA Wrestling, the sanctioning came on the 50th anniversary of title IX, which was passed in 1972, and prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or educational program that receives funding from the federal government, including athletics. The girl wrestlers participating in the IHSA Girls Wrestling Series are trailblazers making history in what is one of the fastest growing sports at the scholastic and collegiate levels, according to the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
“These young women will forever hold the distinction of being the first girls IHSA state qualifiers in school history,” said Head Coach Chuck Rumpf.
The inaugural IHSA Girls Wrestling State Tournament takes place February 25 and 26 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. JTHS wished our state qualifiers the best of luck! Read more HERE.
The team is coached by Head Coach Chuck Rumpf. Assistant Coaches are Jeremy Poch, Bobby Brodinski, Tim Mahoney, and Jayvin Bandy. Volunteer Coaches are Tim Reilly, Chad Mirus, and Meekah Ben-Israel.
